Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

I. Executive Summary: Sale of the Austin Game Warden Academy to generate revenue for development of the PAL Ranch Game Warden Academy is authorized by the legislature and recommended by staff.

II. Discussion: TPWD has been training its game wardens at the Austin Game Warden Academy on 50th Street, adjacent to the University of Texas campus, since 1978. At only 4.26 acres, instruction at the Austin Academy is limited to classroom instruction and some physical training. With the donation of the 219-acre Police Activities League (PAL) Ranch in Hamilton County, TPWD will have the facilities to conduct essentially all Game Warden training functions in one location, and the potential to accommodate training needs of other law enforcement programs.

Once the transition to the PAL Ranch facility has been made, the Austin Academy will no longer be of value to TPWD. Staff recommends sale of the Austin Academy with sale proceeds dedicated to development of the PAL Ranch facility. The proposed sale has been managed by the Texas General Land Office (GLO), which selected Mike Dallas as realtor. TPWD is working with GLO and Mike Dallas to identify the offer representing the best financial and logistical value to TPWD. The sale could include a lease option to TPWD for up to three years to accommodate transition to the PAL Ranch facility. Per agency policy, a local public hearing has been conducted. The TPW Commission has standing authority for this sale under Texas Parks and Wildlife Code §13.009. Anticipated revenue from the sale is at least $1.2 million. Application of the sale proceeds to development of the PAL Ranch facility was authorized in the last session of the legislature by Senate Bill 1; Article VI; Department Rider 25, and is not to exceed $700,000. TPWD has requested an increase in this cap.

III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission finds that ownership of the Austin Game Warden Academy is no longer in the best interest of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to sell 4.26 acres in Travis County to generate revenue for improvements to the Game Warden Academy in Hamilton County."